Overshoe-fastener.



PATENTED DEC. 22, 1903.

'I'.J. BCHOLS. OV'ERSHOE FASTE'NER.

vAPPLIOATION FILED APR. 15, 1903.

no MODEL.

fia/Z0@ Y S11/Wenko@ V l a UNITED STATES Patented December 22, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

OVERSHOE- FASTEN ER.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,390, dated December 22, 1903.

Appiioation ined Aprn 15, 190s.

My invention relates to overshoe-fasteners,

i and has for its objects to produce a device of this character which will be simple of construction, one which may be applied to the shoe at minimum cost, and one which in practice will be automatically thrown into engaging position upon placing the foot in theshoe and which lmay be readily released to permit removal of the shoe when desired.

To these ends the invention comprises the novel details of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the. accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device, showing the shoe to which the same is applied in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the base-plate. Fig. 3 is a perspective viewv of one of the extension-plates. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates an ove rshoe, which may be of any suitable or desired material and of the usual form, inasmuch as the same constitutes no part of my invention.

In accordance with my invention I secure Y in any suitable manner tothe bottom of the shoe upon its interior and in position to lie directly beneath the heel of the wearer the base member 2 of my device. This base member is composed of any suitable material and is preferably of T shape. The head 3 of the member lies transversely of the shoe, and the stem 4 extends centrally and longitudinally of the shoe and projects through the upper rearwardly of the heel and is provided at its outer end with vertically-disposed perforated ears 5. Y

6 is an actuating member, which is pivotally journaled in the ears 5 and has Aa vertical arm 7, which tits snugly against the outer wall of the upper and has its upper end overturned or angularly bent, as at 8, to form a lip which may be readily engaged for actuating the device, as will hereinafter appear. This member is also provided with a horizon- Serial No. 152,772. (No model.)

tal arm 9, which extends parallel with the stem 4 of the base member and normally lies in snug contact with the upper face of the same, the arm 9 being enlarged at its inner end, as at 10, for the purpose presently described.

11 11 indicate a pair of supplemental extension-plates which are' adjustably connected to opposite ends of the head 3 by means of a slot 12 and set-screws 13. The plates 11 each has formed upon its outer end, which lies at the outer side of the shoe-upper, verticallydisposed ears 14, which are prolonged and formed at their upper ends with inwardlyprojecting studs 15, thepurpose of which will be presently described.

16 16 indicate a pair of clamping members which are carried one by each of the extension-plates 11. These members, which are pivotally journaled in the ears 14, are each provided with a vertical clamping-arm 17, provided at its upper end with an inwardlyprojecting pointed nib 18, and with a horizontal lever-arm 19, which latter extends parallel with the extension-plate in snug contact with its face and at its inner end overlies the head 10 of the actuating member 6.

- In operation supposing the parts to be in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and in engagement with the shoe of the wearer and that it is desired to remove the overshoe, it is merely necessary to press upon the lip 8 with the toe of the other foot, which action throws the arm 7 of the actuating member outward, thus rocking the member on its pivot and swinging the inner end of its arm 9 upward, which causes the head 10 to force upward the inner ends of arms 19 of the clamping members and release the nibs 18 of the same from engagement with the inner shoe. Supposing, however, that the paris are in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and that it is desired to place the overshoe upon 'the foot, the heel ofthe wearer will when the foot is inserted into the overshoe press upon the enlarged head 10 ofthe actuating member and forcethe same downward and at the same time will force downward the inner ends of arms 19 of the clamping members, thus swinging the outer end of said members inward for engagement of Atheir nibs 18 with the inner shoe, as will be readily understood.

IOO

When in this latter position, the studs 15, which are formed upon the upper ends of the ears 14, will spring into engagement with suitable recesses or depressions 20, which are formed in the adjacent edges of arms 17 of the clamping members,thus locking the members against accidental release.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I produce a comparatively sim ple device which will be eiiicient in operation and which may be readily actuated for attaching or releasing the overshoe, and this Without stooping or employing the hands for the purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an overshoe-fastener, the combination with a base-plate, of clamping members pivotally associated therewith to swing in a vertical plane, said members having each an inwardly-extending arm disposed for operation by the heel of the wearer to automatically move the members to clamping position, and a lever pivotally associated with the plate to swing in a vertical plane and having an inwardly-extending arm operatively engaging the arms of the clamping members and operable for releasing the latter.

2. In an overshoe-fastener, the combination with a base-plate, of supplemental extensionplates adj ustably associated there with,clam ping members pivotally connected with the extension-plates to swing in a vertical plane, said members having each an inwardly-extending arm disposed for operation by the heel of the wearer to automatically move the members to clamping position, and a lever pivotally associated with the plate and having an inwardly-extending arm operatively engaging the arms of the clamping members and operable for releasing the latter.

3. In au overshoe-fastener, the combination with a base-plate of clamping members pivotally associated therewith to swing in avertical plane, said members having each an inwardly-extending arm disposed for operation by the heel of the wearer to automatically move the members to clamping position, means for locking the membersin clamping position,and a lever pivotally associated with the plate to swing in a vertical plane and having an inwardly-extending arm lying beneath the arms of the clamping members and operable for releasing the latter.

4. In an overshoe-fastener, the combination with a base-plate, of supplemental extensionplates adjustably associated therewith and having ears provided with studs, clamping members pivoted in the ears and recessed to receive the studs, said members being adapted to swing in a vertical plane and having each an inwardly-extending arm disposed for operation by the heel of the wearer to automatically move the members to clamping position, and a lever pivotally associated with the plate and having an inwardly-extending arm lying beneath the arms of the clamping members and operable forreleasing the latter.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto axed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS JEFFERSON ECHOLS.

Witnesses:

HARRY BROWN, F. MIXON. 

